MTN/Attorney General case stalls over judge’s absence

The MTN Nigeria and the Attorney General of the Federation case over a $2bn tax demand has been adjourned to February 7, 2019 as the presiding judge, Justice Saliu Saidu, was away on administrative leave.

The Federal High Court in Lagos did not sit on Monday for the hearing of all applications as earlier scheduled due to the absence of the judge.

MTN faces a $2bn tax demand from the Nigeria’s Attorney General, a claim the company has denied.

It was gathered that the Federal Government had yet to file a full reply to its suit, but the company had filed an injunction asking the court to restrain the government from “disturbing or otherwise interfering with the business of the company.”

The telecoms firm is also facing a separate legal battle with the Central Bank of Nigeria over allegations that it illegally transferred $8.1bn from the country in breach of foreign exchange regulations, which the company had also denied.

A court hearing in the CBN’s case, also at the Federal High Court, has been set for today, December 4.